I drove down U.S. 1 one morning to see old motel signs.
That’s when I found Shangri-La.
Judging from an old postcard of the Shangri-La Motel (pictured below), it was probably a reasonable slice of paradise in its time. And now? Well…
Originally owned and managed by Mr. & Mrs. Carroll A. Maul,1 the motel advertised:
“Modern duplex cottages. New city court. Automatic vented heat. Carpeted floors. Airfoam beds. Connecting rooms. City water. Tile baths. Maid service.”
The motel opened in 1950,2 and the sign pictured at the top likely debuted then as well.
It appears to be the same one visible on the far left of the postcard, although it was awkwardly placed on the office roof at some point, probably when the nearby highway was widened.
“They sure don’t make signs like that anymore,” says the voice of some old man in my head.